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Japanese retailers reducing operating hours

Date : 06 March 2019

AEONs Maxvalu in Hiroshima and a handful of 7-Eleven stores are reducing their operating hours in Japan.

Maxvalu in Hiroshima ending 24-hour operations

Maxvalu Nishinihon, a Hiroshima-based subsidiary of AEON, is ending 24-hour operations for 25 stores later this month. The company plans to refocus its staff members' attention on improving customer service. The move should also help the business cope with labour shortages in western Japan prefectures, including Hyogo and Hiroshima, where its stores are mainly located.

7-Eleven reducing opening hours in some stores

Seven-Eleven Japan has announced that it will reduce operating hours at some of its stores later this month. This will be tested on 10 company-run 7-Eleven stores across the country, operating only between 7am and 11pm rather than 24 hours.

Labour shortages driving change

Around 96% of 7-Eleven stores in Japan operate 24 hours a day, excluding any located inside external office buildings and train stations. Labour shortages for the night shift remains a challenge for convenience operators across the market.

Both Lawson and FamilyMart have experimented with reduced opening hours at their convenience stores. The former for example, has also launched self-checkout counters to support staff members. With increasing pressures, many franchise owners are trying to negotiate shorter operating hours and other subsidies.

Retailers are introducing a number of different initiatives to combat labour shortages in the market. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is also helping drive automation in retail. Furthermore, 50 Japanese banks have recently joined Tokyo bank J-Coin to set up a cashless payment system developed by Mizuho Financial Group. J-Coin payments are processed via a mobile app using a QR code, a phone number or a LINE Messenger ID number. We expect Japanese retailers to further integrate cashless payments in-store to drive efficiencies and offer shoppers greater convenience.